The cost of visiting the doctor will be cheaper for almost 600,000 New Zealanders.
Community Services Card holders will see the average cost of a GP visit drop by $20-30 from tomorrow, and free doctor visits will be extended to 13 year olds.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement today, saying "cost should not put people off going to see the doctor when they’re sick".
"From tomorrow, the Government has made cost much less of a barrier to hundreds of thousands of Kiwis."
The Prime Minister said it would impact 600,000 New Zealanders. (Source: Other)
Up to 540,000 Community Services Card holders will be eligible for the cheaper fees, and the free doctor visits would include 56,000 13-year-olds.
Health Minister David Clark said that last year "more than half a million people didn't go to their GP because of the cost, that’s a shocking number".
"Not only will cheaper doctors visits mean more people will be able to afford to get the care they need, that will mean many health issues can be identified and treated early before they become major problems requiring hospital treatment."
He said 80 per cent of general practices had signed up to give cheaper visits for patients.
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